How is tension built in chapter one of Watership Down? CAND 4

CANDIDATE 4

How is tension built in chapter one of Watership Down?

 

The allergy in this chapter is a definitive message to the reader concerning the future of the characters and their home. Adams purposely portrays “Blood” and “horror” in his opening dialogue, conveying a sense of tension and fear to the reader before we
even meet the characters. Adams also uses the characters in his allergy to
present a possible outcome for the characters in watership down. As Cassandra,
much like fiver, can see glimpses of the future. However Cassandra is cursed so
that no one will believe what she says, this gives the reader a sense of
foreboding towards the believability of fivers visions. Adams uses the allergy
as a catalyst to show his intentions towards both the warren and fiver himself.
However Adams also uses this short story to show that the events unfolding in
his book, even if they are fictional, have unfolded before, and not just to
rabbits or animals. This makes the situation more relatable to the reader and
gives us a greater sense of dread as this could be related to our lives.

Adams also suggested the presence of “death” in this chapter. Starting the chapter with the natural and seemingly innocent life of the “Primroses” coming to an end. Adams could be presenting the “death” of the “primroses” as a metaphor, showing that even the most innocent and harmless residence of this field have died. This gives the reader a sense of trepidation towards the safety of the animals in this story.
However Adams could also be showing that anything in the field or warren that
is unable to protect themselves or is seen as weak will be a victim of “death”
and the “danger” that fiver predicts is coming for them. This suggests that the
characters may have to fight for their lives and creates a sense of unrest and
fear in the reader.

Adams purposely shows the “Notice board” at the end of this chapter, as the fear of the unknown threat has built up tension in the reader throughout the chapter. Adams may be showing the rabbit’s innocents or inability to understand the outside world by not making them able to read the sign. However Adams could also be allowing us to
read the “Board” so that we feel guilt over the human role in the possibly
downfall, that fiver has already predicted, for the warren.  

Adams presents tension within this chapter between toadflax and hazel. Adams uses the confrontation to not only imply the power and control that the “Owsla” has, but also the tension is already present in the warren and that the “danger” in the warren will only be emphasized by human intervention. However Adams could also be suggesting that even without the danger from humans, the warren would still be in “danger” from the confrontation and power abuse created by the “Owsla”. This foreshadows the breakdown of relationships in the warren.  

Adams uses pathetic fallacy to reflect the mood of the warren. Presenting the “red clouds” to mirror the red of the “Blood” that fiver predicts will cover the field. The
color “red” signifies the “danger” that is apparent in this chapter. Adams also
uses the sunset to signify the end of the peaceful and prosperous period in the
warren, showing that, like the end of daylight, which is a connotation of faith
and hope, everything is going to become dejected and broken. This creates a
sense of tension for the reader.

Adams uses many techniques to show tension in this chapter. presenting the warren in the first chapter as a very uneasy place, which is about to get more dangerous and threatening. Adams not only creates tension within the characters and tehr relationship, he also gives the reader a sense of unease from the very start.